Gradually disintegrable molded article

Abstract

A novel molded article exhibiting a gradual disintegration effect is prepared with pullulan. The effect is imparted by incorporating heteromannan into a pullulan molded article in an amount not exceeding the weight of the pullulan used. Galactomannans (e.g. guar gum, tara gum, and locust bean gum) and glucomannans (e.g. konjak mannan) are feasible as the heteromannan. The molded article is advantageously usable for industrial materials, pharmaceuticals, consumers' products, etc.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a molded article, the composition of which comprises pullulan, the improvement whereby the gradual disintegration properties of the article are improved, wherein the composition of the article consists essentially of a combination of pullulan and at least one heteromannan, the amount of heteromannan being, based on the dry solids, 1 to 100% of the pullulan. 
     
     
       2. The molded article in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heteromannan is a galactomannan. 
     
     
       3. The molded article in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heteromannan is a glucomannan. 
     
     
       4. The molded article in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heteromannan is a member selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tara gum, locust bean gum, konjak mannan, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       5. The molded article in accordance with claim 1, wherein the weight of the heteromannan solid is less than that of the pullulan solid. 
     
     
       6. The molded article in accordance with claim 1, which is a member selected from the group consisting of granule, fiber, filament, rod, gauze, cloth, film, sheet, paper, coating membrane, tube, capsule, tablet, and sponge. 
     
     
       7. The molded article in accordance with claim 5 wherein the heteromannan is, based on the dry solids basis, present in the range of 1-80% of the pullulan.